Emotional level highfor Las Vegas Bowl

Once rivals in the same league, the teams meet Saturday in the Las Vegas Bowl for the first time since they went their separate ways following the breakup of the Western Athletic Conference.

"It wasn't done in a professional manner," said McBride, whose school was among eight that left the WAC to form the Mountain West Conference, which played its first season this year.

"Basically they called up one day and said, 'We're not married any more. See ya.' It would be like you coming home and your wife is gone, the furniture is gone. But it was also a decision that had to be made. Sixteen teams, that was too many ..."

Fresno State (8-4) had hoped to join the splinter group but was denied and remained in the WAC, which carried on this season with eight teams, half its former complement. Nevada is scheduled to join the league next year, with Boise State and Louisiana Tech coming into the WAC and Texas Christian leaving in July 2001.

"Everybody says, 'Well, don't you feel bad? You got left out,' " Fresno State coach Pat Hill said. "I don't think we got left out. They're the ones that left. There was a break. Colorado State was one of (Mountain West's) co-champions. We beat them 44-13. Now it's all about playing Utah. It'll be interesting."

The Utes (8-3) are appearing in a bowl game for the fifth time since 1992, winning a share of the inaugural Mountain West title by beating Brigham Young 20-17 in the regular season finale Nov. 20.

The Bulldogs also won a co-championship, putting a stamp on their first winning season since 1993 with a 63-12 victory over San Jose State and heading to a bowl for the first time in six years.

Utah defensive end John Frank, chosen the Mountain West's defensive player of the year in a vote by coaches, is not surprised by the lingering bitterness over the split.

"Putting myself in their shoes, you would want to get some revenge," Frank said. "They're a tough team and there's no reason they should have been left out. There's so many things that go into it, monetarily and politically. I don't know the intricacies of all that, but it wasn't based on their talent."

Fresno State quarterback Billy Volek, who completed a career-best 66 percent of his passes while throwing for 30 touchdowns with only three interceptions, said the Bulldogs carried the WAC flag against a former league rival already and look forward to doing it again.

"We had a game against Colorado State," Volek said. "It was a good chance to represent the WAC and we did. This is just another chance to show what the WAC can do."

Both teams come into the game with high-powered offenses. Each led their respective conferences in scoring, averaging better than 30 points per game.

Still, defense played a big role in both teams' success. Utah held opponents to 17.6 points per game and the Bulldogs allowed 22.1, putting both schools in the top 35 nationally in scoring defense.

"I think it's going to be a defensive battle," Fresno State tight end Vince Branstetter said. "We're stingy on defense and I know they are."

Fresno State will be without reserve cornerback Devon Banks, who broke a hand in the San Jose State game.

For Utah, quarterback-wide receiver Darnell Arceneaux, sidelined since sustaining a major concussion Nov. 6 against Wyoming, has been cleared to play. He'll back up starter T.D. Croshaw, who rejoined his teammates in Las Vegas on Friday after taking one day off to return to Salt Lake City and get married.

The Utes will be without wide receiver-returner Steve Smith because of a neck injury and offensive tackle Kevin Wilson, who broke some ribs in a car accident two weeks ago.